The Pittsburgh Steelers have a bizarre quarterback situation as free agency is officially underway. The organization allowed Justin Fields to walk, missed out on Sam Darnold, and is currently waiting for a decision from Aaron Rodgers. Fans have been waiting to see what the organization will do at the position, and the franchise brought back a familiar face in Mason Rudolph on Thursday. He was likely not signed to be the starter, which means Pittsburgh is still waiting to find its answer at quarterback for the 2025 season.
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Former Jets teammates Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams walk off the field together after a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Rodgers is currently deciding between signing with the Steelers and the New York Giants, and he is taking his sweet time making the decision. If for some reason he chooses New York, the quarterback situation would be even more concerning in Pittsburgh. The Steelers aren't exactly in a good spot to land a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, but it is getting to a point where the team might have no choice but to use a pick on the position. Draft Analyst Todd McShay suggested Pittsburgh should be considering investing in the position in the first round, or trading back into the second.
"It would make sense, Pittsburgh sitting there at 21 in the first round," McShay said. "Aaron Rodgers, from everything I am told, he wants to play two more years, you can only really count on one at this point in his career. So this would be win-now, but also let's take this opportunity, whether it is in the first or second round, draft a quarterback that we can develop."
McShay is very well-respected when it comes to scouting NFL prospects and analyzing the draft. He believes the Steelers should be interested in Tyler Shough out of Louisville, who has slowly been climbing draft boards. Shough is considered the most pro-ready prospect in the draft at quarterback, mainly due to his extensive experience at the college level.
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Former Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough gets ready to throw the football during a home game in college.
The Steelers recently had Shough into the facility for a pre-draft visit, which shows the organization has some interest in the quarterback. McShay advised that some fans read too much into pre-draft visits, and sometimes they mean nothing. However, in Pittsburgh, they typically mean something as over the last two seasons, 10 of Pittsburgh's rookies were in the building for pre-draft visits.
Shough is rising up draft boards, but the Steelers should at least have some shot at landing the quarterback. The organization may have to reach for him, however. The coaching staff in Pittsburgh reportedly loves him. He is often seen as the third or fourth quarterback in the draft, typically behind Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, and Jaxson Dart. McShay spoke more about Shough, and the odds of him landing in Pittsburgh.
"Tyler Shough, based off of my information, is very likely to go in Round 2," McShay said. "But I do think it is interesting they [Steelers] are picking at 21. Would that mean a move back? If they fall in love with Tyler Shough, could it be there?"
It would probably make the most sense to attempt to move back into the beginning of the second round in order to select Shough. Drafting him at 21 would be a reach, and finding a way to acquire more draft capital is imperative, especially after giving up the organization's second-round pick when acquiring DK Metcalf.
Louisville Athletics
Tyler Shough after a road game with Louisville during the 2024 season.
Steelers Are Still In "Win Now" Mode
Pittsburgh acquiring Metcalf and signing a player like Darius Slay means the organization still believes it can contend. That is why it is going after Rodgers, but it is also a good reason as to why the franchise would be interested in a pro-ready prospect like Shough.
The Steelers would probably be ridiculed if they selected Shough with the 21st overall pick, especially with such a large need along the defensive line. If the organization can find a way to trade back into the second round, that additional draft capital can be used on a very deep group of defensive tackles entering the draft - all while still landing Shough.
What do you think of Pittsburgh drafting Shough? Let us know in the comments below!
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